Burma-bound Bowman bows out

Vicky Bowman, a member of Chris Patten’s cabinet, bade farewell to the European Commission this week – but predicted she could be back thanks to reincarnation.

The 36-year-old, who becomes UK ambassador to Burma in December, told friends at her leaving bash that if she did well in her new posting she might return to the EU executive in a new life. Her dream would be a “cushy” job like that of Pierre de Boisseau, the deputy secretary-general of the Council, she joked.

Bowman reminded everyone that she leaves Brussels more European than when she arrived. In July last year she was involved in a freak accident outside DG Development when she was knocked over by a rollerblader. Her left knee was badly damaged and had to be repaired using bone and cartilage from a dead Belgian.

With her boss unavoidably detained at the GAC, it was left to head of cabinet Anthony Cary to deliver the Charlemagne valedictory in his customary witty and urbane style.

He predicted that Bowman was just the woman to effect ‘regime change’ in Rangoon.

Bowman’s replacement is Austrian Barbara Brandtner, 37, who moves from the Commission legal service, where she specialised in external relations and enlargement negotiations.

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